Knesset members learn how to use Facebook, Twitter

About 10 Knesset members will participate in workshop teaching the use of social network websites and Youtube.

Facebook 311.
(photo credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Members of Knesset on Tuesday will participate in a training workshop where they will learn to use online social network sites Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

About ten Knesset members who signed up for the session, will learn about "public commercial activity" taking place in Israel, particularly on Facebook. They will also learn about the use of the various sites by government offices, as well as Knesset members and other governments around the world which utilize them.

The workshop was proposed by Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin after a group of Knesset members wrote a letter to him requesting a training session which will teach about the use of the sites.

"Social network sites are a very important tool in preserving and maintaining a relationship with voters," the Knesset members wrote in the letter to Rivlin. "Today, voters expect regular updates every one to two days on the leaders they voted for, although some members still are not able to maximize the benefits by the use of social network sites. As elected officials, it is crucial for us to know how to maintain regular contact with our voters by the use of key tools. This is not a luxury, but a basic skill, and it is important that the Knesset not remain behind," the letter read.

The letter was sent by MK Robert Taybeyb (Kadima) who was joined by Uri
Orbach (Haybayit Hayehudi), Nitzan Horowitz and Ilan Gilon (Meretz), Afu
Agbariye (Hadash), David Rotem, Anastasia Michaeli, Faina Kirshenbaum
and Orly Levi (Israeli Beiteinu).

The workshop, lead by Shlomit Habaron, is defined as "a practical
lecture aimed at giving the proper tools to open a Facebook account,
understand the world of social networking and the operation of the sites
in everyday life."